Clean Sweep is an Irish six-part crime thriller television series created by Gary Tieche. Distributed by ZDF Studios, it premiered onRTÉ in Ireland on 14 May 2023 and onSundanceNow in the United States on 22 June 2023.[1][2][3] Tieche co-wrote the screenplay with Fran Harris, while it was directed by Ronan Burke and Yves Christian Fournier. Action is largely set inWicklow with some scenes set in London orNorthumbria. Filming began in 2021 in Wicklow,Wicklow Mountains andDargle River into mid-2022. The main protagonists, Shelly (Charlene McKenna) and Jason (Barry Ward), are a married couple. Shelly is a stay-at-home mother, who raises their children. Into Shelly's life returns Charlie (Adam Fergus) – a former boyfriend from 20 years ago. Jason is a police detective, who pursues a murderer to advance his career. Jason is assisted by Fiona (Jeanne Nicole Ní Áinle) – the pair are also having a clandestine affair.
Shelley is busy raising her children Caitlin and Niall, as well as stepson Derek. Caitlin loves to playhurling, but struggles upon entering puberty. Niall hascystic fibrosis and is being bullied by classmate Billy. Derek is taking illegal drugs while trying to attract a girlfriend. Shelly is surprised by Charlie, who calls her Maggie. They later meet in a hotel room, where Charlie reveals he wants them to confess to their historical crimes. Shelly/Maggie shoots Charlie dead. Jason is assigned to find the murderer with help from Fiona. Police determine that the victim, known as Philip, had been hiring a prostitute. Philip's fingerprints reveal he is actually Charlie. Charlie was a London-based, suspected drug dealer and police killer, who was presumed dead 20 years ago. Jason and Fiona are having a clandestine affair. They trace the prostitute to a brothel with human-trafficked women given tattoos by their pimp. Flashbacks show Shelly's past as Maggie, who was Charlie's girlfriend when they were working for Freddie. Freddie is a police undercover agent, who posed as a drug lord. Charlie's gang captures, tortures, and then kills Freddie. Charlie's gang member, Kenny, is dismembered and thrown into theThames. Maggie runs away, adopts a new identity, and disappears from Charlie's life. Charlie also adopts a new identity, gets married and has two daughters. Years later Charlie, who became aborn again Christian, decides to find Maggie and save her soul.
Charlene McKenna as Shelly Mohana.k.a. Deirdre Ann Fallonnée Margaret "Maggie" Gallagher: Jason's second wife, Caitlin and Niall's mother, Derek's stepmother. Formerly Charlie's gang member
Barry Ward as Jason Mohan:Wicklow detective sergeant aspiring to become inspector, Shelly's husband, Grainne's ex-husband
Jeanne Nicole Ní Áinle as Fiona Uba: Irish detective, Jason's subordinate. Has an affair with Jason
Adam Fergus as Philip Paul Whelanné Charlie Lynch: 45-year-old, former underworld drug smugglers' gang leader, Maggie's ex-boyfriend, assumed new identity, fathered two daughters, becameborn again Christian
Clean Sweep was named as a project that would receive public funding in November 2021. Created by Gary Tieche based on a true story,Shinawil was originally going to make the six-part thriller with Element 8 Entertainment before Incendo boarded the project instead.[4] Fran Harris was attached to write the series with Tieche, with Ronan Burke and Yves Christian Fournier directing. Executive producers included Tieche, Larry Bass, Mary Callery, Jin Ishimoto, Patty Lenahan Ishimoto, and Harvey Myman for Shinawil; Shannon Cooper forSundanceNow; andGraham Ludlow, Jean-Philippe Normandeau and Shari Segal for Incendo.[5]
In July 2022, it was revealedCharlene McKenna would lead the series alongsideBarry Ward.[5] Principal photography was originally scheduled to take place in 2021, but was postponed. McKenna was spotted filming by theDargle River in early July 2022.[6] Locations includeWicklow Mountains and neighbouring areas.[7] Filming was completed late in 2022.[7]Clean Sweep premiered onRTÉ in Ireland on 14 May 2023 and onSundanceNow in the United States on 22 June 2023.[1] The series was broadcast onBBC Four from 26 July 2023.[8] It was streamed on Netflix from early November 2024.[9]
